Tenant Rights in Jacksonville, Alabama (2026 Guide)

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Key Takeaways

No rent control. Alabama Code Sec. 11-80-8.1 prohibits any Alabama city or county, including Jacksonville, from enacting a rent-control ordinance.
Landlords must return your deposit within 35 days of move-out with an itemized statement; wrongful withholding can entitle you to double the amount withheld plus attorney's fees (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-201).
Month-to-month tenancies require at least 30 days' written notice from either side (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441).
No just-cause requirement. Once a fixed-term lease ends, a landlord may decline to renew for almost any non-discriminatory reason; mid-lease evictions still require a statutory ground (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-421).
Legal Services Alabama (Anniston-area office), Jacksonville Housing Authority, and Alabama Arise.

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a college town of roughly 13,000 residents in Calhoun County, northeast Alabama, anchored by Jacksonville State University. With a large student population, the local rental market includes single-family homes, duplexes, and apartment communities near campus, plus public-housing units operated by the Jacksonville Housing Authority on Marbut Drive.

Renters in Jacksonville commonly want to know whether their rent can be raised, how to recover a security deposit, what notice their landlord must give before eviction, and where to find free legal help. Alabama is widely viewed as a landlord-friendly state, but the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-101 and following, gives Jacksonville tenants baseline protections covering deposits, habitability, retaliation, and the eviction process.

This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant disputes in Jacksonville are heard in the Calhoun County District Court (Seventh Judicial Circuit), and outcomes depend on the specific facts of your case. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed Alabama attorney or Legal Services Alabama.

2. Does Jacksonville Have Rent Control?

Jacksonville has no rent control and cannot adopt one. Alabama Code Sec. 11-80-8.1 expressly prohibits any county or municipality in Alabama from enacting an ordinance, resolution, or rule that controls the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property.

In practical terms, that means a landlord in Jacksonville may raise the rent by any amount when a fixed-term lease ends or, on a month-to-month tenancy, after giving the proper written notice required under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441. There is no statewide cap, no local cap, and no requirement that an increase be tied to inflation or any index. Mid-lease, the rent cannot be raised unless the lease itself authorizes it.

Even though the size of an increase is not capped, a rent hike imposed in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right (such as reporting a code violation) is unlawful under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-501.

3. Alabama State Tenant Protections That Apply in Jacksonville

Although Jacksonville has no local rent regulation, Alabama renters are protected by the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A). Key protections include:

Security deposits (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-201): Landlords must return your deposit within 35 days of move-out, together with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding can expose the landlord to double damages plus attorney's fees.
Notice to terminate (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441): A month-to-month tenancy may be ended by either party with at least 30 days' written notice. A weekly tenancy requires 7 days' notice.
Habitability and repairs (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-204): Landlords must keep the unit in a fit and habitable condition, including working heat, plumbing, electrical service, and weatherproofing. After written notice from the tenant, if the landlord fails to remedy a material non-compliance within 14 days, the tenant may terminate the lease or pursue other statutory remedies.
Retaliation prohibited (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-501): A landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or threaten eviction because a tenant complained to a code-enforcement agency, requested repairs, or otherwise exercised a legal right.
No self-help eviction (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-407): Landlords cannot lock you out, remove your doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force you to leave. They must use the formal court eviction process.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Jacksonville

Security deposits in Jacksonville are governed by Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-201. The statute generally caps the deposit at one month's rent (additional pet, pest, or non-refundable cleaning deposits may be charged separately) and sets the rules for return:

The landlord has 35 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession to return your deposit.
If any amount is withheld, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement of the deductions, delivered to your last known or forwarding address.
If the landlord fails to comply or wrongfully withholds funds, you may recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus an additional equal amount as a penalty (effectively double damages), along with reasonable attorney's fees.

To protect yourself, always provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out, and document the unit's condition with dated photos at both move-in and move-out. Students subleasing near Jacksonville State University should make sure deposit terms are spelled out in writing in any sublease.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Jacksonville

Alabama requires a formal court process for every eviction in Jacksonville — there is no legal way for a landlord to remove a tenant without a judgment from the Calhoun County District Court.

For non-payment of rent: The landlord must serve a 7-day written notice giving the tenant a chance to pay or vacate (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-421).
For other lease violations: The landlord generally must give a 14-day written notice describing the breach, with a chance to cure within those 14 days (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-421). No cure period is required for substantially the same violation within 12 months, or for criminal or drug-related activity that threatens health or safety.
For ending a month-to-month tenancy with no fault: At least 30 days' written notice is required, ending on a periodic rental date (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441).
Court process: If the tenant does not move or cure, the landlord files an unlawful-detainer action in the Calhoun County District Court. The tenant has 7 days after service to file a written answer. If the landlord wins, the court issues a writ of restitution executed by the sheriff.
Self-help is illegal: Under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-407, a landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, or shuts off utilities to force a tenant out is liable for the tenant's actual damages or up to three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus reasonable attorney's fees.

Alabama does not require just cause for non-renewal at the end of a fixed-term lease. If you receive an eviction notice or court summons, do not ignore it — the response window is short. Contact Legal Services Alabama or a private attorney immediately.

6. Resources for Jacksonville Tenants

Legal Services Alabama — Free civil legal aid for income-eligible Alabamians. The Anniston-area office serves Calhoun County and Jacksonville. Statewide intake: 1-866-456-4995.
AlabamaLegalHelp.org — Landlord and Tenant — Self-help guides, sample letters, and plain-language explanations of Alabama landlord-tenant law.
Alabama Arise — Statewide nonprofit policy and advocacy organization that works on housing affordability and tenant-protection issues.
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service — Connects Alabama renters with private attorneys experienced in landlord-tenant matters, often for an initial consultation at reduced cost.
211 Connects Alabama — Dial 2-1-1 (or 888-421-1266) for tenant-rights information, counseling, and referrals to local services in Calhoun County.
Jacksonville Housing Authority — Operates public housing for Jacksonville-area residents at 12 Marbut Drive SW, Jacksonville, AL 36265. Phone: (256) 435-9219.
Calhoun County District Court — Landlord/Tenant Resources — Local court page with eviction flow charts, sample lease forms, and a copy of the Alabama URLTA.
HUD — Alabama Tenant Rights — Federal information on fair housing, discrimination complaints, and renter resources in Alabama.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law changes, and how a statute applies to your situation depends on the specific facts of your case. Before taking action, verify the current text of the cited statutes and consult a licensed Alabama attorney or contact Legal Services Alabama.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jacksonville have rent control?

No. Jacksonville has no rent-control ordinance, and Alabama law would not permit one. Alabama Code Sec. 11-80-8.1 expressly prohibits any city or county in the state from enacting rules that control the rent charged for private property. As a result, no Alabama municipality — including Jacksonville, Anniston, Birmingham, or Montgomery — has rent control.

How much can my landlord raise my rent in Jacksonville?

There is no legal limit on the size of a rent increase in Jacksonville. On a fixed-term lease, the rent cannot be raised mid-term unless the lease itself allows it. On a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441). A rent hike imposed in retaliation for a code-enforcement complaint or other protected activity is illegal under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-501.

How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Jacksonville?

Under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-201, the landlord has 35 days after you move out and return possession to send back your deposit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If the landlord wrongfully withholds part or all of the deposit, you can sue to recover the withheld amount plus an additional equal amount (effectively double damages) and reasonable attorney's fees. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the 35-day clock.

What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Jacksonville?

It depends on the reason. For non-payment of rent, Alabama law (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-421) requires a 7-day written notice to pay or quit. For other curable lease violations, a 14-day notice to cure typically applies. To end a month-to-month tenancy with no fault, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-441). After notice, the landlord still must obtain a court judgment from the Calhoun County District Court before forcing you to leave.

Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Jacksonville?

No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Alabama. Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-407 prohibits a landlord from changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off water, electricity, or other essential services to force a tenant out. A tenant who is locked out or has utilities cut off can recover actual damages or up to three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus reasonable attorney's fees, and may obtain a court order to be restored to the unit.

What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Jacksonville?

Start by giving the landlord written notice describing the problem and requesting repair. Under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-204, if the landlord fails to remedy a material non-compliance affecting health or safety within 14 days, you may be able to terminate the lease or pursue other statutory remedies (Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-401). For health- or building-code violations, you can also contact the City of Jacksonville Code Enforcement Department. If the landlord retaliates by raising rent or threatening eviction, that retaliation is itself unlawful under Ala. Code Sec. 35-9A-501.

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